Milwaukee Guys Weekend – A Destination for Manly Men

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Guy getaways tend to follow the same broken record of trips – a bachelor party in Vegas, a golf trip somewhere, or a weekend of debauchery in Mexico. Put on repeat. Over and over again. Men, I’m here to tell you that there are better options than unsuccessfully trying to relive your youth in an oomph-oomph club or spending a frustrating weekend making up excuses about why your golf game is so bad. How about a Milwaukee guys weekend instead?

Why a Milwaukee guys weekend?

Why not a Milwaukee guys weekend? Milwaukee, Wisconsin has to be one of the manliest towns out there. Not only is the city’s claim to fame beer and cheese – two very manly things – but it’s also home to Harley Davidson and Usinger Sausage. Yeah, I just added brats and motorcycles to the mix. Plus, there’s professional sports, plenty of golf courses (if you must swing some clubs), and a plethora of water activities on Lake Michigan.

Why does Milwaukee make such a good dude’s weekend? Beer! (Photo credit: Bryan Richards)

Get your bike fix at Harley Davidson Museum

Begin your weekend by experiencing some Milwaukee iron between your legs at the Harley Davidson Museum. I suggest opting for the behind the scenes tour for an extra special Harley Davidson experience. The tour will take you backstage to see the world’s largest collection of unrestored Harleys. Even if you don’t own a Harley, it’s still worth checking out. The exhibits delve into both the history and culture surrounding the iconic motorcycle brand. Heed my warning though; once you sit on a display motorcycle at the end of the tour, you just may buy one.

Hit the water on Lake Michigan

Another unique Milwaukee adventure is the three-masted Great Lakes schooner that sits outside Discovery World. The recreation of the 19th century sailing vessel offers both day trips and multi-day trips. Book one to get a glimpse of what it was like to be the captain of a sailboat in centuries past. If a planned outing on a sailboat isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other water activities on Lake Michigan from kayaking to surfing. (Yes, surfing!)

Learn to sail a Great Lakes Schooner at Discovery World (Photo credit: Bryan Richards)

Tour and taste Milwaukee’s beer history and future

Of course, the main reason why Milwaukee is a manly destination is beer. Milwaukee has a rich beer history; hence its nickname, Brew City. There’s a rapidly growing craft beer scene as brewers build upon their city’s legacy. Buildings throughout Milwaukee carry reminders of the city’s four original breweries: Miller, Pabst, Blatz, and Schlitz. Today, only Miller remains, but Pabst is mounting a comeback under their new ownership with a new craft brewery. The new Pabst will be located in the former First German Methodist Church – originally built in 1873 – in the Brewery District where the blue ribbon brewery was formerly headquartered.

For a look at the future of beer in Milwaukee, start with Lake Front Brewery. I normally don’t recommend guided brewery tours because once you see the process, it’s the same everywhere. I do, however, recommend the Lake Front Brewing tour. Led by actors and comedians, the tour has been lauded as the most entertaining brewery tour in the country. Be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time.

For brewery tastings, the Walker’s Point neighborhood is your spot with MobCraft Beer, Brenner Brewing, Urban Harvest Brewing and Milwaukee Brewing. Milwaukee Brewing offers a self-paced, interactive tour with plenty of beer samples, including some from the brewer’s secret stash.

Or, if you prefer to do your tastings at beer bar, Milwaukee is home to four of Draft Magazine 100 Best Beer Bars in the Country: Burnhearts, Palm Tavern, Sugar Maple, and Roman’s Pub.

Hanging out at Urban Harvest Brewing (Photo credit: Bryan Richards)

Get your fill of man food

I ate one of the best steaks of my life at Five O’clock Steakhouse. You should, too. Five O’clock Steakhouse is actually a supper club, a tradition that dates back to Prohibition. The experience is uniquely Wisconsin. Upon arrival, even if you have a reservation (which is recommended), the host will direct you to a seat at the bar for a cocktail and menu perusal. Order a Milwaukee Old Fashioned Sweet; trust me on this one. When you’re ready, give your order to your server who will then prepare your table, and present you with a traditional steakhouse salad. Everything at Five O’clock is made from scratch, and the steaks are Wisconsin-bred and wet-aged for 30 days.

Eat the best steak of your life at Five O’clock Steakhouse (Photo credit: Bryan Richards)

For traditional Milwaukee fare, check out the Wisconsin Cheese Mart and the Uber Tap Room for all things cheese plus a robust beer list. The Vanguard is where to go for sausages made from scratch and cocktails on draft. There’s something called Milwaukee pizza, too, which is thin like St. Louis style but without the gross processed cheese. I didn’t get to sample any but I wish I did. A foodie friend recommends Alphonso’s the Original.

Stay in a manly hotel

Step aside Las Vegas, because hotel choices don’t get any cooler than Milwaukee. And yes, there is a hotel and casino, too. Potawatomi Hotel and Casino is a favorite not only for gaming, but also for its sleek, newly finished rooms. For beer fans, book your stay at the Brewhouse Inn and Suites, a hotel that used to be a Pabst brewery. Motorcycle fans will enjoy the motorcycle themed Iron Horse Hotel, a AAA Four Diamond Hotel.

Yes, this is the interior of a hotel – the Brewhouse Inn and Suites (Photo credit: Bryan Richards)

I had such a good time exploring Milwaukee with my buddies, I can’t wait to plan a second trip after the new Pabst brewery opens in 2017.

Have I convinced you? Book your Milwaukee guys weekend with TripAdvisor now or use the Booking.com form below.

Do you have any questions or tips for a Milwaukee guys weekend? Tell us in the comments below.

A Note from The Hungry Daddy: I was hosted by Visit Milwaukee. All opinions are mine, as always. This story includes affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help to keep TravelMamas.com a free resource for readers like you.

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About Bryan Richards, The Hungry Travel Daddy

Bryan M. Richards began his blog, TheWanderingGourmand.com, to document his culinary adventures with his wife around the world (and around the kitchen). During the first eight years of their marriage, they followed their taste buds across five continents, 20 countries, and 71 cities and drank plenty of beer along the way. Then Deacon was born, and they’re learning how to incorporate their son into their culinary adventures. Currently, Bryan balances his role as stay-at-home dad to a toddler with his novel writing and freelance gigs covering craft beer, food, and travel. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Follow his adventures on Facebook and Instagram as @BRichWrites.

My husband would love to visit these places, however they are too far from where we live. Maybe if we plan a tour to the North Central United States, we can arrange to spend a day or two in Milwaukee so he can enjoy a guy weekend with a girl – me! LOL.

Hi there! I'm Colleen Lanin, the founder of Travel Mamas. I launched this family travel blog in 2009 to help parents better connect with their kids and the world through travel and beyond. I love being a mom, traveling, swimming in fabulous hotel pools, and doing Pilates so I can eat lots of gluten-free dessert. Click on the pic to learn more about moi!